E1M7: The Onyx Citadel (The Wayfarer)

E1M7: The Onyx Citadel is the seventh map of The Wayfarer. It was designed by Not Jabba and uses the music track "Curse of the Avenger" by Varis Alpha.

Essentials
Note that none of the maulotaurs in this level will infight with other monsters.

Keys
As the level starts you will see a Phoenix Rod, Dragon Claw and Enchanted Shield in front of you, along with nitrogolems and iron liches; once you start shooting they will be joined by lesser chaos serpents and serpent keepers that teleport in. Head due north to an Ethereal Crossbow, then continue north past more iron liches and serpent keepers to reach the central hall; there are two switches next to the central column, but you can only press the north switch at this point and it is guarded by a maulotaur. Pressing the switch will deactivate some lightning barriers, allowing you to reach the three keys in the corners of the map.

Go to the north-east corner of the citadel, where some disciples of D'Sparil will teleport in, then enter the neighboring room which contains a Tome of Power and a Mystic Urn (or Silver Shield on thou art a smite-meister skill level or higher). The entrance will close and seven monster closets containing iron liches, serpent keepers and a greater chaos serpent (or lesser serpents and maulotaurs on bringest them oneth or higher) will open around you; fight them off then go inside the north and east closets to press two red switches that will lower the green key inside the north-east alcove, as well as re-opening the entrance for you.

Go to the south-east corner of the citadel, where some nitrogolems will teleport in, then go into the neighboring hall to find a Hellstaff in front of a switch. Pressing the switch will close the entrance and raise the lava below so you can run through it to a platform on the other side, but you will have to fight off weredragons and a swarm of fire gargoyles while you wait. Once the lava rises, go to the south-east platform and press another switch here to lower the blue key along with a Quartz Flask. The entrance will also re-open at this point so you can leave.

Go to the south-west corner of the citadel, where some ophidians will teleport in, then enter the neighboring hall to drop into a pit full of metal blocks. Serpent keepers, lesser serpents and iron liches will teleport between the blocks - fight your way through them to the west side of the pit to locate three red switches, then press all three to lower the blocks as well as the yellow key, which sits on a pillar by the west wall. Pressing the final switch also raises steps at the north end of the pit so you can climb out.

Exit
With all three keys, return to the central hall and press the switch on the south side of the central column; this will close the entrances to the hall and allow a multitude of iron liches, undead warriors, sabreclaws (and serpent keepers on BTO or higher) to teleport in, but will also lower the surrounding pillars which hold various items including a Lightbringer. Fight your way to the north side of the citadel (the only side that is not closed off) then continue north to some steps that lead up to a teleporter, which is the level exit.

Other points of interest
Most of the monsters in this level will not teleport in unless you alert them by firing weapons. By staying quiet you can get the blue and yellow keys without encountering serious opposition.

Secrets

 * 1) On the north-west part of the west hall, lower the wall where the Morph Ovum is and take the teleporter. This area has Crystal Vials, a Mystic Urn (the secret) and a Ring of Invulnerability. (sector 1083)
 * 2) In the inner room of the north-east corner, head to the west wall and use the mural, then run to the south-east side and take the lift up. Use the banner here to find a hidden hall. On the north-west wall in this hall, shoot the switch and quickly run south across the blocks for a passage to the south-east area. (sector 2288)
 * 3) From the dropoff at the end of secret #2, jump west to the next ledge, then follow the path to the crates. Jump to them and maneuver your way up to the top. Get on the north ledge and follow it south, then get the Shadowsphere to the west. (sector 3144)
 * 4) In the inner rooms of the north-west corner, head to the east room and use the emblem high up on the south wall. Return to the west room and take the step to the south cage. Lower the south wall and follow the path to a Lightbringer, sun runes and a nova rune. (sector 3323)

Current records
The records for the map at the Doom Speed Demo Archive are:

The data was last verified in its entirety on January 6, 2022.

Things
This level contains the following numbers of things per skill level:

Trivia

 * The exit teleporter appears in this WAD's title screen.